How To Be A More Productive Mac User

They say that if you want something done, give the task to a busy person. Why? They get things done. But how? The trick to increased productivity comes with a few steps which can be summed up this way– use the tools available to do the job. Here’s a trick that busy people master.

The whole idea behind the world acclaimed Pomodoro Technique is to use a simple timer to break down your work tasks into a few minute of work separated by a short break. The technique is time honored and works easily enough, but it requires the right tool (a simple egg or tea timer will do), and the discipline and focus needed when implementing the technique and working on a task. Here’s how to use your Mac to become a more productive person.

The Tomato Timer

Pomodoro is Italian for tomato which inspired the technique. Not the tomato, but a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. Twist the top of the timer to 25-minutes (the recommended task time; but it’s a variable), do the deed, then take a short break of 3-minutes or so.

The Pommie app on your Mac acts like the tomato timer to time your tasks and alert you to break times. The breakdown of specific time period to work, and set a specific time amount to break is what helps you become more productive. Pommie just makes it easier because it’s on your Mac.

Pommie makes the Pomodoro Technique easy to implement. Set the timer, do the task, take a short break, do another task, and repeat. At the end of the fourth task, take a longer break (I’m sure there’s a psychological thing going on with all the breaks to look forward to).

Both the work and break durations are configurable to adjust to your situation, but here’s what makes Pommie really worthwhile. Not only does it work on your Mac, but Pommie’s work tasks can be handed off to another Mac (your notebook, for example), or to iPhone or iPad.

Yes, there’s Pommie for iOS and that means your tasks can be fully mobile.

Pommie for iOS has a few dozen alert sounds to choose for each task, which can be stopped, paused, or started from Notifications. There’s an iPhone and iPad Today Widget, and both work and break periods are configurable. And, get this– Pommie for iOS has a Watch version so your work period reminders and break reminders go where you go.

Not bad for a couple of bucks, right?

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About Natalia Nowak

My husband, Nathan, and I have used Macs for nearly 25 years. We're teachers at a private school in Chicago, IL. I'm also the school's resident Mac system administrator, PC troubleshooter, and a diehard Mac diva and iPhone hacker. Read more of my articles here.

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